Responding to the launch today (Friday 2 November 2012), of the UK commission on aviation capacity led by Sir Howard Davies, and welcoming the news that the Commission will be required to consider environmental impacts, Friends of the Earth’s Senior Campaigner Jane Thomas, said:

“Without significant changes to the already hugely privileged aviation industry, we will fail to meet our climate change targets - the Commission must be led by the requirement to reduce carbon emissions.

“Aviation emissions cannot carry on growing in the years ahead – as this will lead to UK households, industry and commerce bearing more than their fair share of emissions cuts.

“Airport expansion makes no economic sense – the effect on the environment and on local communities is devastating.

“We welcome Sir Howard Davies comments this morning that climate change targets for 2050 will provide the framework for discussions on airport capacity.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

1.    In 2009, the Committee on Climate Change examined the feasibility of the previous Government's target for aviation emissions in 2050 to be no higher than 2005 levels. The UK Aviation industry was allowed to increase its 2005 emissions by 122 per cent from the 1990 Kyoto baseline whereas all other economic and social sectors have had to decrease emissions.

3.    The Climate Change Act 2008 requires the Government to make a decision by the end of 2012 on whether aviation and shipping should be formally included in the UK's carbon targets. For further information please see http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/international-aviation-a-shipping